Effect of biodegradable urban waste compost on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V. C. Farm, Mandya, to study the effect of biodegradable urban waste compost on growth and yield of maize during kharif season of 2014 and 2015. The pooled data of two years indicated that, the grain yield of maize was significantly higher in recommended dose of fertilizer (150:75:40 kg NPK/ha) + Farm yard manure (FYM) @10 t/ha (6995 kg/ha) as compared to no fertilizer application. However, it was on par with application of 50% N as fertilizers + 50% N as urban compost (6954 kg/ha), 25% N as fertilizers + 75% N as urban compost (6815 kg/ha), 100% N as urban compost (6925 kg/ha), 100% N through vermicompost (6644 kg/ha) and 100% N through FYM (6342 kg/ha). Among the urban compost treatments, application of 50% N as a fertilizer and remaining 50% N as urban waste compost recorded significantly higher yield (6954 kg/ha) stover yield (7272 kg/ha), net returns(Rs.50,374/ha) and B:C ratio (2.02).